Requiring Muslims in USA to call themselves Salafi

12-5-2004 | IslamWeb

Question:

I am trying to follow the Qur’an and Sunnah to the best of my ability. However there are some good Muslims who say that, that is not enough. They tell me that I must also call myself Salafi. I know what it means and that I must follow the way of the Messenger and the first three generations. I also would like to know if the Ulamah in Saudi say that it is required to call yourself Salafi. Please advice.

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Answer:

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.

 

It is not obligatory upon a Muslim to name himself a Salafi because Allah, The Most-High, called us Muslims.  This is the juristic name to which any person who believes in Allah and his Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) belongs.  The name that Allah has given us is sufficient for us.

However, there is no harm on whoever affiliates himself to the Salaf – our pious predecessors – and say that he is a Salafi.  It is most important that a Muslim follow their methodology, belief and actions.

The crucial factor is what a Muslim is upon not what name he is given.

 

Allah knows best.